Lionel Messi is in his 7th Copa America, while Cristiano Ronaldo is in his 6th EURO.
In the summer of 2024, the football world has 2 of the biggest events for national teams in Europe and America. For Europe, it is EURO 2024, in America, it is Copa America – a tournament originally from South America but this year there are 6 representatives from North America participating.
Portugal is one of 24 teams participating in EURO 2024, in which Cristiano Ronaldo personally set a record as the only player to participate in 6 EURO tournaments. The Portuguese superstar was called up to the national team in 2003, and will have his first EURO in 2024.
Since then, CR7 has continuously participated with the “European Selecao” in the EURO finals – 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024.
Along with that, he has his own records in the tournament, such as the most appearances – 29 matches before the quarter-final match with France, and the most goals scored – 14.
In 20 years, Ronaldo has played 6 EURO tournaments and he is now 39 years old. This year’s tournament in Germany will also be Ronaldo’s last EURO, as he himself confirmed.
Cristiano Ronaldo sets a record with 6 EURO finals appearances. Photo: UEFA
However, compared to Messi in Copa America, Ronaldo still participated 1 less time, although the Argentine superstar only started appearing in this tournament since 2007. That means in less than 20 years, Messi has had 7 Copa Americas.
An important reason for Messi to have participated in the top South American tournament 7 times is that the tradition has not been fixed in how many years it is held. Since its inception, Copa America has been held once a year, at other times every 2 years, sometimes every 3 years, or even once every 2 years (1959).
From 2001 to 2007, the tournament was held every three years, and since 2007, the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) plans to hold it every four years.
That was maintained until 2015, but 2016 was the 100th anniversary of the tournament, so they decided to hold it and the United States was the host country.
Lionel Messi has participated in the Copa America in South America 7 times. Photo: Copa America
Three years later – 2019, the tournament was held to ensure the previous four-year plan. Then, CONMEBOL again approved the permanent switch from odd to even years starting with Copa America 2020 to match EURO.
However, the COVID-19 outbreak forced the tournament to be postponed for 1 year (2021) as well as EURO. And now it is 2024, 3 years after the tournament in Brazil.
And so, since 2007, Messi has participated in Copa America 7 times (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024).
Messi’s career with Argentina was supposed to end in 2016, after a second consecutive final defeat to Chile. He announced his retirement from La Albiceleste, but later reversed his decision.
Messi then won the Copa America (2021) and World Cup (2022) for the first time with Argentina.
At 37, it is unlikely that Messi will be able to participate in the next Copa America in 2028 – when he will be 41 years old.
